Studio Clash Wraps Steel Rings Around Four Xiangchun Trees in Zibo

Studio Clash has completed Circle Pit, a site-specific installation in a valley in Zibo, Shandong Province, China. The project is organized around four mature Xiangchun trees (Toona sinensis) and a solitary rock, drawing on the cultural significance of the tree in northern China. The name references the circular movement of a 'circle pit' in live music culture, informing the spatial organization. The installation features overlapping circular geometries, a 7.2-meter-diameter spiral structure with a viewing platform 2.3 meters above ground, and stepped platforms that function as seating, circulation, and event space. The design prioritized tree health, avoiding major root systems and using lightweight construction with professional horticultural consultation. Built from a steel structure with standardized connections, it can be disassembled and relocated. Perforated panels reduce visual mass, and integrated LED lighting under handrails creates a luminous presence at night. The site previously lacked a defined gathering structure; Circle Pit now serves as seating, stage, and recreational space. The project was led by Cohaul Guohao Chen, with a design team including Yuxin Wen and Zuxian Kang, for client Zibo Bobogu Park Operation and Management Company, covering 50 sqm.